Recent research suggests that Betelgeuse, a prominent red supergiant star, may not be on the brink of a supernova as previously believed. Instead, its fluctuating brightness is likely caused by an unseen companion star, referred to as Alpha Ori B or 'Betelbuddy.' This hypothesis is put forth by a study led by astrophysicist Jared Goldberg from the Flatiron Institute, soon to be published in The Astrophysical Journal.
Simulations indicate that this companion star acts like a 'snowplow,' periodically clearing dust from Betelgeuse, which accounts for its characteristic brightness variations. This finding challenges the notion that such fluctuations signal an impending supernova explosion.
Betelgeuse is approximately 100,000 times more luminous than the Sun and 400 million times its size, ranking as the tenth-brightest star in the night sky. Astronomers monitor its brightness changes, akin to a 'heartbeat,' with cycles occurring annually and roughly every six years. Goldberg's team posits that if no companion star exists, it would imply an unusual phenomenon that current physics cannot explain. They plan to utilize telescopes to search for the elusive star.